Judge Kelvin C. Wells: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Kelvin C. Wells is a judge for the 1st Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2004.

The 1st Judicial Circuit encompasses Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties. Wells has held assignments in Walton County.

Prior to his appointment, Wells was a judge for the Okaloosa County Court, a position to which he was named in 2002. Before that, he spent time as a partner at Smith, Grimsley, Bauman, Pinkerton, Peterman & Wells (1993 to 2002).

Wells earned an A.A. from the Marion Military Institute in 1984 and a B.A. from the University of Alabama in 1986. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1990.

After graduating from law school, Wells began his legal career as an assistant state attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the 1st Judicial Circuit. He served in that capacity until 1993.

His memberships have included the Kiwanis Club of DeFuniak Springs, the Panhandle Cattlemen Association, the Florida Cattlemen's Association, and the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Professionalism. He has also served as president of the Okaloosa-Walton County Bar Association.

Born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Wells is the son of the Hon. Clyde B. Wells, a former judge of the 1st Judicial Circuit Court. Wells attends First United Methodist Church.